Bill Bradley’s biography includes three terms as a U.S. Senator, a run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2000, an NBA hall of fame basketball career and two years in Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He’s also the author of six books, the host of a weekly radio show and a partner in a New York investment bank. Join us to hear his take on politics and the economy.

Overheard with Evan Smith updates the successful formula of our award-winning series Texas Monthly Talks – great conversation with fascinating people, always on the news and always with a sense of humor. The new show brings you the same mix of guests from politics, the arts, literature, journalism, business, sports and more, and is available to PBS stations nationwide. We hope you’ll be there for our first season of this exciting new program, which airs on KLRU at 7 p.m. every Thursday.

KLRU’s December fundraising drive is off to a great start! We appreciate everyone who has supported KLRU so far, especially during last night’s Antiques Roadshow. As a thank you we offered tickets to the January Appraisal Fair and it was wonderful to hear the phones ringing off the hooks as folks from all around Austin snapped up tickets. It’s not to late to secure your spot, donate to support Antiques Roadshow before the end of our fundraising period because this is an event you won’t want to miss.

During our live breaks KLRU staff and professors from St. Edwards helped answer the calls. They looked extra snazzy in new phone headsets the make it easier to interact with callers. We discovered one downside of the headsets though, it’s hard for the director to tell who is one the phone!

Tonight on KLRU we are pledging live in the studio for Newshour at 6pm, followed by Michael Pollan’s Botony of Desire at 7pm. We’ll have some special thank you gifts, including tickets to see Michael Pollan in person. We’ll also be joined by some fabulous Central Texas Gardener fans and garden bloggers. Don’t forget, everyone who donates now until December 12th is eligible to win an iPad.

Please join KLRU and the LBJ Library on December 9 as award-winning producer John Bredar screens his new documentary The President’s Photographer. The screening starts at 6 pm at the LBJ Auditorium (2313 Red River). The event is free but an RSVP is required. RSVP here

The documentary follows Pete Souza, President Obama’s chief White House photographer, inside the White House – aboard Air Force One, backstage at the State of the Union, and into the heart of the West Wing. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the everyday grit of the American presidency.

Following the screening, Mark Updegrove, LBJ Library Director, will moderate a discussion with Bredar and David Valdez, who served as chief White House photographer for George H.W. Bush.

The LBJ Auditorium is located on the lower level of the LBJ complex at 2313 Red River Street. Access to the Auditorium will be through the lobby of the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Free parking is available in the Library visitors’ lot (#38), lot #37, and lot #39 after 5:00 p.m.

Starting at 10 am each Saturday in December, KLRU Create offers viewers themed programming to get you started on various projects. KLRU Create is on channel 18.2 over the air.

Saturday Marathons are as follows:December 4: The Gift of Giving
The old adage states,”it is better to give, than to receive”. With the holiday season approaching quickly take notes from our gift specialist Katie Brown. Do a little shopping with world travelers Burt Wolf and Rudy Maxa, they will take you to the finest holiday markets and the shopping Mecca of the world. Next, we will be celebrating the Festival of Lights. Chris Fennimore and Todd English will give you the full flavor of the holiday.

December 11 Tourist for a Day
Grab your passport and be a Tourist for a Day! Travel to some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations in Africa, Europe and North America. Join world trekkers Rick Steves, Burt Wolf and Rudy Maxa as they visit superstructures, wondrous destinations and ancient works of art.

December 18 Joy to the World
Join us as we celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa with help from some of our favorite Create friends. With traditions of the holidays provided by travel expert and cultural historian Burt Wolf, and holiday recipes from Lidia Bastianich, Katie Brown and Chris Fennimore, you’ll be celebrating the season with warmth and good cheer. Even some Christmas snow will be provided by painter Bob Ross, for holiday “atmosphere.”

December 25 Countdown to the New Year
Throw your own New Year’s Eve bash and invite everyone you know! You’ll get tips on hosting a terrific party with great entertaining menus from the kitchens of Daisy Martinez, Christina Pierello and Hubert Keller There will be decorating ideas from Katie Brown and Rudy Maxa will be supplying champagne from France to ring in the New Year with style! Raise your glass of bubbly and toast to 2011!

Nature at 7 p.m. Sunday presents “Christmas in Yellowstone”, an exploration of the great winter world of Yellowstone through images of the spectacular landscape and wildlife.

Classics were recreated and relived as iconic singer-songwriters Carole King and James Taylor reunited in 2007 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary Los Angeles club The Troubador on Sunday and Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.

Experience a vivid and intimate look at how seven diverse European cultures celebrate Christmas on Rick Steves’ European Christmas at 10 p.m. Sunday.

Peter Marshall hosts a warm and nostalgic music retrospective highlighting the biggest songs of the Big Band era on Big Band Years at 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Botany of Desire at 7 p.m. Tuesday explores the mystifying connection between the natural history of four plants and the corresponding human desires associated with them.

This Emotional Life: Rethinking Happiness Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. features remarkable stories of resilient individuals whom scientists are studying to learn why some people have the ability to bounce back after disaster strikes.

Yanni: A Living Legacy Wednesday at 10 p.m. features personally selected instrumental performance of many of Yanni’s most beloved compositions.

David Foster joins superstar Andrea Bocelli for a new Christmas concert of holiday classics as they share the stage to present an elegant collection of seasonal favorites on Great Performances at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Cirque du Soleil: Flowers in the Desert Thursday at 9 p.m. captures the magic of Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas as the troupe presents a mesmerizing entertainment experience.

Aretha Franklin Presents: Soul Rewind Friday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 5 p.m. features a comprehensive collection of rare performances by legendary R&B performers of the classic 1960s-70s soul era hosted by the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin.

Alternative rockers Pearl Jam perform tracks from their latest album, Backspacer, as well as classic favorites on Austin City Limits at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan In Session Saturday at 8:30 p.m. is the famed 1983 live jam session by two of the greatest musicians ever to have played the blues on electric guitar – Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Ed Sullivan’s Rock And Roll Classics: The 60s Saturday at 10 p.m. presents classic song performances from 1963-1968 including the Beatles’ American television debut and the Doors’ infamous appearance.

As an extra-special thank you during our December drive, KLRU will be giving away 2 iPads! Every gift made between November 26 and December 12 will automatically be entered to win – so give now and give often!

Through your support, KLRU is serve our community with countless hours of quality television and services that go beyond TV to inform, educate and entertain everyone in Central Texas.

Show your support for KLRU Kids programming and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win two (2) tickets to Barney Live in Concert – Birthday Bash on January 20th AND two (2) tickets to see a Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Healthy Heroes show between February 17th and Sunday, February 20th. Show your support now to enter the drawing, here Ticket recipients will be chosen on December 13.

Barney Live in Concert – Birthday Bash!
The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Tickets on-sale online at TexasBoxOffice.com

Celebrate with Barney at his birthday party! This new interactive, live stage concert, features more than 25 fun and upbeat tunes, including favorites such as “Mr. Knickerbocker,” “Dino Dance,” “Baby Bop Hop,” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” You’ll be singing and dancing in the aisles with your favorite purple dinosaur and his friends. It’s a fun filled show all about sharing, caring and friendship.

Sesame Street Live “Elmo’s Healthy Heroes”
The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center
Thursday, February 17 – Sunday, February 20, 2011
Tickets on-sale Monday, December 13, 2010 at the box office and online at TexasBoxOffice.com

When Super Grover loses his superness, Sesame Street needs a hero! Never fear, Elmo and his team of Healthy Heroes are here. Teaching lessons of healthy habits through song and dance, Elmo, Abby Cadabby and your favorite Sesame Street friends will explore exercise, nutrition, sleep/energy and hygiene – all in a quest to put the “super” back in Super Grover. It’s Elmo’s Healthy Heroes to the rescue!

Join KLRU and the Austin Public Library for free Community Cinema screenings on the first Tuesday of the month at the Windsor Park Branch Library (5833 Westminster Dr,). Screenings will start at 7 p.m. with a discussion to follow each of the films. December’s film is The Calling on Tuesday, December 7.

The world’s most beloved and inquisitive monkey is back in Curious George 2: Follow that Monkey, the fun-filled sequel to the hit animated movie. Join Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat as they set out on a madcap cross-country adventure to reunite Kayla, a homesick elephant, with her family. This unlikely trio faces all types of comic calamities and colorful characters and in the end learn that with family, friends and determination you can achieve anything. Featuring the voices of Tim Curry, Matt Lauer, Jamie Kennedy and Jerry Lewis. Curious George 2: Follow that Monkey, “proves that family, friends-and-curiosity- are number one.” – Francine Brokaw, Los Angeles Family Magazine.